Electrically-operated sash-holder.



W. WEISKOPF.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATEUSASH HOLDER.

Patented July 4, 1916.

APPLICATION FILED IAN.25. I9I5.

17W? "1 0)" wigiam WeisKo f his Rflorney.

ms NORRIS r-srsns Pnomumc. wAsumcmN. o, c.

WILLIAM WEISKOPF, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

ELEGTRICALLY-OPERATED SASH-I-IOLDER.

Specification of Letters Iatent- Patented July 4,1916.

Application filed January 25, v1915. qSerial No.4,171.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM WEISKOPF, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically- Operated Sash-Holders, of "which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrically-operated sash holders and has for its objectto provide an improved collapsible device for holding a window sash in open position and electrically actuated means for collapsing the same so as to allow the window sash to move into closed position, whereby the closing of the window can be controlled from any point in the room or building, and ifdesired can be under time regulated control.

To this end the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. o a a In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification is shown aperspective view of an embodlment of the nvention with the window frame and sash partly broken away andthe sash'supported in raised position.

In the drawings A represents the lower horizontal member of a window sashof usual construction which has sliding support in the side members B of the window frame, only one of which is shown. When not supported or stopped by the devices hereinafter described the sash is free to drop by gravity upon the sill'below, so as to close the window opening. If desired, its weight may be increased by means of a block or strip 2 of lead or other heavy material incorporated therein or secured thereto at any convenient point.

To support the window in open position I have provided a collapsible structure comprising a stationary metal plate 3 secured within one of the side members of the window frame and depressed or countersunk below the surface thereof, and a swinging plate 4 hinged to the upper end of the plate 3 by means of a hinge 5, so that this plate can swing downagainstithe plate 3 and lodge within the countersunk or depressed portion of? the side member B, when the window is lowered. The stationary side plate 3 is formed with a vertically slotted opening 6 and the movable plate 4: with a longitudinally slotted opening 7 to receive the lever and link structure about .to be described.

To hold the swinging plate 1 in horizontal or sash supporting position I have provided a lever and link structure comprising a link 8 pivoted within the slotted opening of the plate 4t near "the outer end thereof and having hinge connection 9 at the other end with a lever 10 which passes through the lower end of the slotted opening in the plateu3,.at which point it is pivoted to the plate by-means of a pivot 11. Atthe point where it passes through the opening the lever is offset to form an extension arm 12 which works in the space behind the plate, and maybe held normally under upward tensionby means ofa spring13. The openings 6 in the side plateS and? in the top plate 4: are large enough to receive the lever 10 and link 8, respectively, when the .hinge 9 is link structure at a predetermined time to allow the window to drop, I have provided an electric circuit C passing through an electromagnet D. The electromagnet has a vibrating spring armature 14 which is in circuitwith the electromagnet. On its outer face the armature hasa spring contact 15 which stands normally in engagement with a contact '16 also arranged in the circuit C. Extending downwardly from the armature is a hammer 17 in position to strikethe olfsetarm 12 of the lever 10 when the armature 14: is released from the control ofthe electromagnet. One side of the circuit C leads to a stationary contact 18 in position to be periodically engaged by a clockwork driven rotary contact 19 also arranged in o the circuit .0. Thus when the circuit is closed through the contacts 18 and [19, the

magnet I) will be energized and the armature 1 1 attracted anddrawnaway fro mthe ture spring 20 and strike the offset arm 12 of the lever 10, thereby turning the lever 10 upon its pivot 11 and causing it to bend the hinge 9 inwardly toward the window frame and break the support for the window, which, thus released, will drop as heretofore described.

'The device here shown is particularly useful with bedroom windows where it is desired to havethe window open during most'ofthe'night, but'to close it in the early morning hours. By the use of the present invention this closing can be accomplished automatically while the occupant of the room is still in bed.

'When the Window is supported in open position the parts will stand in the position shown in the drawing with the swinging plate 4c'raised to horizontal position and held in that position by means of thelink 8 and lever 10, which will then stand in alinement, with the downward thrust of the windowrcoming upon the pivot 11. When, in the rotation of the clockwork, the contact 19 engages the stationary contact 18 the electromagnet D will be energized so as to draw back the armature 14 and break the circuit through the contacts 15 and 16,

thereby deenergizing the electromagnet and releasing the armature which will spring forward and throw the hammer 17 against the lever arm 12. The impact of the ham mer will swing the lever 10 sufficiently to break the hinge 9 against the tension of the spring 13. As soon as the hinge 9 is thus bent inwardly the weight of the unsup ported window will cause it to descend; As it descends the links 8 and 10 will fold back within the slotted openings in the plates 4: and 3, respectively, and the plate 4 will fold down against the plate 3 and within the depression in the window frame on the outside, of the plate 3, as above described, so that noneof these membersv will ofier any obstruction to the downward movement of the window. When it is desired to open the window it is pushed up by hand in the usual manner and the plate 4 swung up until it reaches a horizontal position and causes the link 8 and lever 10 to move out into aline- 'ment as shown in the drawings, or, if a same manner as a window sash strictly so called.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a window frame and sash,'of a hinged element supported upon the window frame and engaging the sash torhold it in up-lifted position, and electrically actuated means for breaking the hinge whereby to remove the support and allow the window sash to move .down by gravity.

2. The combination with awindowframe and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of a collapsible support for the sash comprising two alining members hinged together at their meeting ends, one

of said members bearing against the under side of the sash at a point spaced apart from the side member of the window frame and the other member having pivotal support upon said side member of the frame, said hinge being constructed to bend inwardly toward said frame member.

3. The combination with a window frame and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of a stationary side plate secured within one of the side members of the frame, a swinging plate pivotally connected with the upper endof the stationary plate in position, when raised, to abut against the under side of the window sash, a link pivotally suspended from the outer end of said swinging plate, a bar hinged to the lower end of said link and pivotally connected with the stationary plate, and means for bending the hinge in order to collapse the support for the window.

4. The combination with a window frame and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of a stationary plate secured within one of the side members of the frame, a swinging plate pivotally connected with the upper end of the stationary plate and adapted, when raised, to engage the under side of the sash, a link pivotally suspended from the outer end of said swinging plate, a lever hinged to the end of said link, said lever being fulcrumed upon the stationary plate and passing freely through a hole therein, and means engageable with the free lower end of said lever for bending the hinge between said lever and link, whereby to collapse the support for the window sash.

5. The combination with a window frame and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of a vertically slotted plate countersunk within one of the side members of V the frame, a longitudinally slotted movable plate pivotally connected with the upper end of said stationary plate and adapted vwhen swung up to engage the window sash,

end of said movable plate and capable of folding within the slot therein, a lever hinged to the end of said link and passing through the slot in the stationary plate, said lever having fulcrum support on the stationary plate and being foldable within the slot therein, and means acting on the free lower end of said lever for turning the same whereby to bend the hinge between said link and lever and collapse the support for the window.

6. The combination with a window frame and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of "a collapsible support for the sash comprising two alining members hinged together at their meeting ends, one of said members bearing against the under side of the sash and the other member hav ing pivotal support upon the side member of the frame and extending through the same to form an operating arm, said hinge being constructed to bend inwardly toward said member of the frame, and means for moving the extended arm of said lower hinge member, whereby to bend the hinge connection between said supporting members.

7. The combination with a window frame and a sash having vertically sliding support therein, of a stationary side plate secured within one of the side members of the frame, a sash supporting plate pivotally connected with the upper end of the stationary plate in position, when raised, to abut against the under side of the window sash, a link pivotally connected with the outer endof said swinging plate, and a bar hinged to the lower end of said link and pivotally connected with the stationary plate at a point remote from the upper end thereof, said hinge being constructed to bend inwardly toward said stationary plate, whereby to allow the window to close.

In testimony whereof I itillX my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM VVEISKOPF.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR P. Lo'rHRoP, H. SWANSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

